Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: New Life for a Former MVP

After three disappointing seasons, Cody Bellinger is off to a hot start. If he’s available on the waiver wire, grab him.

Injuries continue to pile up in Major League Baseball, but there is also plenty of talent available on the waiver wire. If you lost Giancarlo Stanton or Jeffrey Springs this week, I’ve got a few players that should be available – even in deeper leagues – listed below. Besides those listed below, don’t forget about players such as Franchy Cordero and Joey Gallo, who clobbered a three-run shot in his first game back from the IL on Wednesday.

Another note: Starting pitching continues to be very volatile, and I would caution cutting any starter that has a track record of success in years past. Baseball is a marathon, not a sprint. We’ve seen Jekyll and Hyde appearances from Sandy Alcantara, Chris Sale, Alek Manoah, Aaron Nola and even Corbin Burnes -- none of whom should be dropped or sold low. However, if you want to bench them temporarily, there are a few pitchers below that could be added.

Let’s get to it. 

Hitters

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Hitters

Cody Bellinger, OF (CHC)

Is this hot streak for Bellinger real? It’s hard to know after three consecutive disappointing seasons. His hard-hit rate and exit velocity are still in the bottom half of the league. However, the fact remains that he was once the NL MVP (2019). Perhaps the change of scenery has been good for Bellinger, who is now hitting .284 with three homers, 12 RBIs and three stolen bases. On Monday, he even had a five-hit game vs. Oakland.

Jake Burger, 1B/3B/CI (CHW)

Sure, a 31.3% K strikeout rate is not impressive, but a max exit velocity in the top 1% of the league is. So are five home runs, 10 RBIs and a 1.215 OPS. Burger is carrying the White Sox right now, and there’s no reason to think it stops anytime soon. Burger’s 118.2-mph home run last week was the hardest-hit home run by a Chicago White Sox player since statcast began tracking exit velocity in 2015. If you’re looking for a power bat to replace Giancarlo Stanton in a deeper league, look no further. Burger is available in 85% of fantasy leagues. 

Patrick Wisdom, 3B/CI/OF (CHC)

Another third baseman in Chicago is also on a hot streak. Wisdom’s average exit velocity is in the top 5% of the league, and he’s walloped eight home runs this season. Those eight home runs are one behind Pete Alonso for the most in the MLB. Can it keep up? Probably not with a 31.3% K rate, but with his positional flexibility, he cannot remain on the waiver wire. Wisdom can slot in for Stanton in many fantasy baseball leagues. He’s available in 50% of fantasy baseball leagues.

Brent Rooker, OF (OAK)

Brent Rooker was removed from the game on Tuesday with a tweaked hamstring, but assuming he is just day-to-day, he is a very intriguing player. Rooker is hitting .324 with four homers and 11 RBIs, and he has an everyday job for the Athletics after putting up a 1.045 OPS in Triple A last season.

Shea Langeliers, C (OAK)

Oakland’s young catcher has been heating up as of late, hitting three home runs across the past two weeks. His max exit velocity is in the top 85% of the league, so if you are looking for a second catcher in a two-catcher league, he could be worth an add. 

Pitchers

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Graham Ashcraft, SP (CIN)

Ashcraft has allowed only three runs across 19 innings pitched this season, including tough matchups with the Phillies and Braves. Statcast says his xERA is 3.41, so there will be some regression, but Ashcraft is a solid starting pitcher who should not be left on the waiver wire. 

Eduardo Rodriguez, SP (DET)

Rodriguez has been excellent this season, pitching to a 3.00 ERA. Improvements have come with his command. In his last start, he struck out 10 Guardians. Rodriguez has issued a career-low 1.88 walks per nine, and statcast says his xERA is 3.06. 

Mason Miller, SP (OAK)

The much buzzed-about Oakland prospect had a promising start on Wednesday vs. the Cubs. The flame-throwing righty threw 15 pitches of 100-plus mph and induced 10 swings and misses for a total of five strikeouts in 4⅓ innings pitched. 

Edward Cabrera, SP (MIA)

The concern with Cabrera has always been command, and he started this season with an epic walk rate, issuing 13 free passes across 7⅔ innings pitched. However, he has had the walks under control for his last two starts. Even with the abundance of walks this season, Cabrera has allowed only two earned runs in each of his four starts this year, and he has an ERA of 4.08 for the season with an xERA of 3.54 with a K rate of more than nine per nine innings.